On this day 250 years ago in Philadelphia, the Continental Congress approved trade with the Iroquois Confederacy in an effort to prevent the Iroquois from allying with the British. Specifically the Congress resolved:

that the Indians be assured that this Congress are pleased with their desire, that the trade should be opened as formerly at Albany and Schenectady, that the Congress will exert their strenuous endeavors to procure the goods the Indians may want, and put the trade under such wise regulations, as that mutual justice may be affected, and that they hope those endeavors will be successful.

That General Schuyler be desired to furnish the Commissioners at Albany with some powder, if he can spare it, to be distributed among the Indians, who in the present circumstances, are much distressed by the want of that article.

That the Commissioners for transacting Indian Affairs in the northern department, be desired to obtain from the Mohawk Indians, and the corporation of Albany, a state of the controversy between them, concerning the land desired by the former in the late treaty at Albany, to be restored to them, and report the matter as it shall appear to them, to the Congress.

That the said Commissioners be desired, at the expence of the United Colonies, to provide for and entertain the Sachems or warriors of the Six Nations, and other Indians friendly to these colonies, their attendants and messengers, with the accustomed hospitality when they come to Albany or Schenectady, to treat, or give intelligence of public affairs, or upon a visit, and for this purpose that 750 dollars be lodged in the hands of the said Commissioners.

That the said Commissioners be directed to employ two blacksmiths for reasonable salaries, to reside among and work for the Indians of the Six Nations.

That the said commissioners be empowered to employ an interpreter and James Deane, if they judge him well qualified, is recommended to execute this office.

Resolved, That three members be added to the previous committee to become a larger committee to devise a plan for carrying on a trade with the Indians, and ways and means for procuring goods proper for that trade. The members added: James Wilson, Silas Deane, and Francis Lewis.

Unfortunately for both the Americans and the Iroquois, the steps promised by Congress would not succeed in keeping the Iroquois neutral in the War.

Source: https://americanfounding.org/entries/second-continental-congress-november-23-1775/

On this day 250 years ago, in Providence, Rhode Island, Samuel Ward wrote to his fellow Member of the Continental Congress and Postmaster General, Benjamin Franklin:

On my Return I found the People of Connecticut in Arms for sixty Miles, a Fleet of twelve Sail of Men of War and Transports had been at the Mouth of Newlondon Harbor, an Attack was expected from them but they only went to Fishers Island and got about 1000 Sheep and Lambs and 30 head of indifferent horned Cattle the only fat ones being brought off a few Days before; The Wretch who owns the Island sold this Stock undoubtedly for his Tenant had made yards down by the Sea and got his Sheep and Cattle ready for them before they landed, the People deeply resent his Behaviour: The Fleet then stood for Gardners Island but a Number of armed Men probably prevented their Landing for they got no Stock save at Fishers Island: [Royal Navy Captains Sir James] Wallace and [James] Ayscough a Part of this Fleet returned to Newport and again terrified the People by making every Preparation as if they intended instantly to fire upon them: They stopped the Ferry Boats strictly examined every Person and took down the Names. They had heard of my Return and expected I should have gone to Newport and were in Hopes of getting one Delegate into their Possession; They took the western Post Rider and propose to send the Mail to Boston. I hope no Letters of Consequence may be in it but however that may be this shews the Impropriety of the Posts passing those Ferries.

. . .

The Love of Liberty triumphs in this Town over all other Considerations, every thing for the common Defence is pursued with immense Ardor every Danger is despised and every Difficulty surmounted and at the same time they are thus attentive to the general Interest of America. 

Samuel Ward was one of America’s Founding Fathers who is little remembered today. Although he was a firm supporter of Independence, Ward would die from smallpox in Philadelphia in March 1776 while serving in the Continental Congress. So his name was not memorialized as a Signer of the Declaration of Independence.

Source: “Samuel Ward to Benjamin Franklin, 12 August 1775,” Founders Online, National Archives, https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Franklin/01-22-02-0095. [Original source: The Papers of Benjamin Franklin, vol. 22, March 23, 1775, through October 27, 1776, ed. William B. Willcox. New Haven and London:: Yale University Press, 1982, pp. 167–169.]

On this day 250 years ago in London, Lord Dartmouth wrote a circular letter to each of the governors of the American colonies informing them what they already knew about the First Continental Congress requesting that each colony appoint delegates to attend a Second Continental Congress scheduled to convene in Philadelphia on May 10, 1775. Dartmouth added that

I am commanded by the King to signify to you his Majesty’s pleasure, that you do use your utmost endeavours to prevent such appointment of deputies within the colony under your government.

Source: https://allthingsliberty.com/2019/01/the-earl-of-dartmouth-secretary-of-state-for-the-colonies-third-year-august-1774-november-1775/

Also on that day in Philadelphia, William Bradford wrote to his friend James Madison about what little he could learn of the secret proceedings of the First Continental Congress. Bradford said the delegates

of Virginia are highly celebrated for their zeal. Your province seems to take the lead at present; that silent spirit of Courage which is said to reign there has gained you more credit than you can imagine. One fleeson an Upholster[er] has made two Colours for the Fairfax Company; the Motto’s “Pro aris & focis” & “Aut Liber aut nullus. He has orders also to procure a number of Drums & 200 Muskets as speedily as possible. This is doing something to purpose; but Pennsylvania seems as if it had expended all its vigor in the time of the Stampt-act; or surely it would catch some of that martial spirit that is kindled all around it. 

Interestingly, Bradford was referring to the order for supplies for the Fairfax Independent Company that George Washington had placed when he was in Philadelphia attending the First Continental Congress. [see yesterday’s post] The Latin banners translate as “for our altars and firesides” and “either freedom or nothing” 

Source: “To James Madison from William Bradford, 4 January 1775,” Founders Online, National Archives, https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Madison/01-01-02-0038. [Original source: The Papers of James Madison, vol. 1, 16 March 1751 – 16 December 1779, ed. William T. Hutchinson and William M. E. Rachal. Chicago: The University of Chicago Press, 1962, pp. 131–134.] available at https://founders.archives.gov/?q=%224%20January%201775%22&s=1111311111&sa=&r=6&sr=